The 80/20 Rule: A Powerful Life Coaching & Management Tool

One of the most widely used and commonly taught principles of time management, a topic that frequently arises in personal coaching in Tunbridge wells, Kent, is the 80/20 rule. It began as a simple observation in 1906 by an Italian economist named Vilfredo Pareto, who noticed that 20% of people owned 80% of the wealth. Pareto called this phenomenon: “the vital few and the trivial many.” And after studying it extensively across diverse applications, he determined that only 20 percent of anything is responsible for 80 percent.

That means in any team or group, 20% of the members are doing 80% of the work. And in an individuals own work, 20% of what they put into something is responsible for 80% of the results. In the 1940s, Dr. Joseph M. Juran — who is responsible for naming this phenomenon the Pareto Principle — observed similarly that 20% of the defects in a product or process are responsible for 80% of the problems. So it goes both ways. In fact, as it turns out, this principle can apply to almost anything:

80% of clients deliver 20% of your income.

80% of all frustrations in a relationship are caused by just 20% of the problems.

80% of your problems are caused by 20% of your circumstances.

80% of your income comes from 20% of your work.

So in terms of personal coaching in Tunbridge wells, Kent, how does one apply this principle toward improving your own time management and productivity? Toward increasing efficiency and effectiveness, whether in your work, school or home life? By applying 80 of your efforts to the most important 20 percent of your work or goals. Or find out which 20% is the main cause of your problems and then eliminate them.

As I share with many a client personal coaching in Tunbridge wells, Kent, the Pareto Principle teaches you how to work smarter rather than harder, by reminding you to put the bulk of your energy toward the few tasks that matter most.

’til we meet again,

Walk in Beauty;
Walk in Peace.

‘Causing the Miraculous by Spreading Beauty, Truth & Harmony‘

Johnathan Brooks, MAC, PG Dip is a Life Coach who has trained in a wide range of personal development treatment methods including the “Power Therapies” (CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (postgrad), EFT Emotional Freedom Technique, Master NLP Neuro Linguistic Programming) and has a Post Graduate Diploma in ‘Coaching and NLP’ which he passed with a ‘Commendation’. And is based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

He is a full member of the Association for Coaching (MAC) and is a Gold member of The Professional Guild of NLP.